A close-up look at NYC education policy, politics,and the people who have been, are now, or will be affected by acts of corruption and fraud. ATR CONNECT assists individuals who suddenly find themselves in the ATR ("Absent Teacher Reserve") pool and are the "new" rubber roomers, and re-assigned. The terms "rubber room" and "ATR" mean that you or any person has been targeted for removal from your job. A "Rubber Room" is not a place, but a process.

The Department of Education nearly doubled the number of top-level administrators under Mayor de Blasio — and plans to more than triple the payroll, according to city data.

The preliminary budget for 2017-2018 is so bloated that it allocates $11,386,000 in salary for central office “pedagogical” staff — a massive hike from $4,055,000 in the last pre-de-Blasio fiscal year of 2013-2014, budget reports show.

The DOE has quietly expanded the gilded group of educrats from 39 in 2014 to 76 this year, according to city data, including Chancellor Carmen Fariña’s top deputies and other senior staffers whose work relates to student instruction and curriculum.

Overall spending on DOE brass has fattened during each of de Blasio’s years in office, the budget data show.

De Blasio’s adopted budget for central administration compensation was $4,055,000 in 2014, $5,053,000 in 2015, $7,809,000 in 2016 and $9,501,000 this fiscal year, according to city records.

“First we learned that Mayor de Blasio put 264 special assistants on his City Hall payroll, and now we learn the city has doubled its spending on bureaucrats in the Department of Education’s central office,” said Jeremiah Kittredge, CEO of charter-school advocate Families for Excellent Schools.

“Because every dollar spent on the mayor’s allies at Education headquarters is a dollar that can’t also be spent in classrooms, this paycheck padding directly and dangerously hurts innocent students,” he said.

The per capita spending average for this year, according to the current version of the city’s adopted budget, amounts to $290,636 for just 33 people.

But a DOE spokesperson said the numbers were out of date and that there were actually now 76 administrators in the category splitting $10.7 million. As a result, the per-person spending would be roughly $140,000.

The spokesperson attributed some of the overall increase in budgeting to a raft of major new initiatives undertaken by the DOE under de Blasio, which have required greater support from the central office.

“We’re investing in every student with our Equity and Excellence for All agenda, and this funding is critical as we continue to raise record-high graduation and college-enrollment rates, and provide pre-K for every 4-year-old,” DOE spokesman Will Mantell said.

Mantell stressed that next year’s preliminary budget was tentative and that adjustments to both spending and the number of central administration pedagogical employees would change.

“These are preliminary allocations and do not reflect any final spending,” Mantell said.

Overall funding of DOE bureaucracy — in addition to just the top administrators — has also risen under de Blasio.

According to the preliminary budget for next year, a total of 1,918 central administration workers are slated for $210,227,000 in overall pay. That compares to $163,947,000 in 2015 for 1,922 staffers.

DOE bloat isn’t limited to the central office headquarters.

As revealed by The Post earlier this month, the department shells out a staggering $40 million on contracts a year to consultants for help with Mayor de Blasio’s beleaguered Renewal school program.

That’s in addition to an $8.5 million payroll for 72 DOE bureaucrats dedicated to rescuing the cratering campuses from closure.

Position Summary: Under the supervision of the Director of the
Office of Special Investigations (OSI), the Confidential Investigator Unit
Supervisor will be assigned to perform, with wide latitude for independent
action and decision, highly confidential and sensitive investigations into
allegations of corruption, misconduct, and/or other illegal, unethical, or
improper activity by Department of Education employees. The Confidential
Investigator Unit Supervisor will be expected to: conduct victim, witness, and
subject interviews; interact with union representatives; author comprehensive
reports of his/her findings; and testify, when necessary, at administrative
hearings and/or trials.

·Advises subordinates on
difficult matters, and interprets rules, regulations, codes and policy for the
guidance of the investigating staff.

Unit Supervisor Responsibilities

Confidential Investigator will be assigned to
Specialty Units with responsibility for: assigning investigations to the
Confidential Investigators within their unit; arranging and organizing unit
trainings; reviewing the first draft of all investigative reports to ensure
that the investigations have been completed; coordinating regular case reviews
with team members; overseeing and tracking investigations, e.g., answering
questions, helping to strategize the investigations, etc; and informing the OSI
Director, Deputy Director, and Associate Director as to whom the investigations
have been assigned.

·Serve as the liaison to
the Division of Performance and Accountability.

Internet Acceptable Use Policy Unit (IAUP)

·Investigate allegations
of IAUP violation, such as: downloading/viewing of pornography/child
pornography; using a DOE computer for Non-DOE purposes; using a personal
computer with inappropriate content in school; downloading personal information
to a DOE computer

·Serve as the liaison to
OSI’s Forensic Analyst.

·Responsible for
identifying, analyzing, and proposing new investigative strategies to the
office, and staying abreast of new trends and new technologies.

·Conduct investigations
of principals where allegations have been heavily reported in the press; cases
that have been expedited at the request of the Chancellor or General Counsel;
and cases that require expedition due to the serious nature of the allegation.

·Serve as the liaison to
the General Counsel and his Chief Deputy, and to OSI’s Director, Deputy
Director, and Associate Director.

·Respond to inquiries
from the press office and the Chancellor as requested by OSI’s Director, Deputy
Director, and Associate Director.

·Inform the General
Counsel and/or his Chief Deputy as to whom the investigations have been
assigned.

·Tracking and oversee
cases and timelines.

Qualification Requirements:

Minimum

·A four year high school
diploma or its educational equivalent, and four years of satisfactory full time
experience in an industrial or governmental agency in the field of
investigation and law enforcement; or

·A baccalaureate degree
from an accredited college, or education and/or experience equivalent to the
above.

Preferred

·Ability to interview
students and adults.

·Ability to complete
comprehensive written reports detailing the results of each investigation.

·Candidates must possess
a valid New York State Driver's License and be willing to travel to Department
of Education facilities throughout New York City.

Salary: $65,000+

(Internal candidates who are selected for this
position and who currently hold comparable or less senior positions within the
DOE will not make less than their current salary.)

Position will be posted until filled. We
encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible.

Applications will not be accepted without a
resume and cover letter.

NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to
budget availability and/or grant funding.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of the Department of Education
of the City of New York to provide educational and employment opportunities
without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin,
alienage, citizenship status, age, marital status, partnership status,
disability, sexual orientation, gender (sex), military status, prior record of
arrest or conviction (except as permitted by law), predisposing genetic
characteristics, or status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses
and stalking, and to maintain an environment free of harassment on any of the
above-noted grounds, including sexual harassment or retaliation. Inquiries
regarding compliance with this equal opportunity policy may be directed to:
Office of Equal Opportunity, 65 Court Street, Room 1102, Brooklyn, New York
11201, or visit the OEO website at http://schools.nyc.gov/OEO

Position Summary: The Confidential Investigator will have wide
latitude for independent action and decision, in the performance of highly
confidential and sensitive investigations into allegations of corruption,
misconduct, and/or other illegal, unethical, or improper activity by Department
of Education employees. The Confidential Investigator will be expected to:
conduct victim, witness, and subject interviews; interact with union
representatives; author comprehensive reports of his/her findings; and testify,
when necessary, at administrative hearings and/or trials. Performs related
work.

Reports to: Associate Director of the Office of Special
Investigations

Direct Reports: N/A

RESPONSIBILITIES

·Conducts complex and
special investigations.

·Assists with the
planning of investigative schedules and assignments.

·Conducts interviews of
all relevant parties to a complaint, including, but not limited to: the
complainant/victim, witnesses, students of varying ages, parents of students,
subjects of the investigation, and Department of Education employees.

·Interacts and
communicates with Department of Education employees and the wider community, in
person and via telephone, to intake and/or refer complaints of misconduct
lodged against departmental employees.

·Advises Department
employees, school administrators, parents, students, and community members as
to the Department’s reporting requirements, and the Office of Special
Investigation’s intake and investigative policies, procedures, and protocols.

·Maintains
confidentiality of investigations and of the investigative process.

In addition to the duties and responsibilities
described above, may serve as the Office of Special Investigation’s
Communications and Compliance Investigator:

·Acts as the liaison to
internal and external legal and law enforcement offices seeking investigative
information and/or confidential files pertaining to Department of Education
employees.

·Advises administrators,
superintendents, and supervisors within the Office of Special Investigations,
the Office of Legal Services, and the department’s central office as to trends
and/or patterns of misconduct within DOE schools and/or districts.

·A four year high school
diploma or its educational equivalent and four years of satisfactory full time
experience in an industrial or governmental agency in the field of
investigation or as law enforcement officer conducting criminal, special
victims, white collar crime and/or administrative investigations, or,

·A baccalaureate degree
from an accredited college, or education and/or experience equivalent to the
above.

Plus

·Ability to complete
comprehensive written reports detailing the results of each investigation.

·Ability to interview
students and adults.

·Proficient in Microsoft
Outlook, Excel and Word.

·Must possess a valid New
York State Driver's License and be willing to travel to Department of Education
facilities throughout New York City.

Preferred

·Proficient in Microsoft
Office (Access, Excel and PowerPoint) and other widely used computer programs.

·Experience utilizing
Guidance Encase Forensic Software.

·Experienced in examining
computer hardware including the removal of computer hard drives.

·Experience or working
knowledge of the public sector and/or interest in public education.

·Highly organized in
order to track large amounts of case-related data.

·Ability to maintain
chain of custody of all evidence gathered during the course of investigations
for possible criminal or administrative prosecution.

Salary: $65,000

(Internal candidates who are selected for this
position and who currently hold comparable or less senior positions within the
DOE will not make less than their current salary.)

Position will be posted until filled. We
encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible.

Applications will not be accepted without a
resume and cover letter.

NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to
budget availability and/or grant funding.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of the Department of Education
of the City of New York to provide educational and employment opportunities
without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin, alienage,
citizenship status, age, marital status, partnership status, disability, sexual
orientation, gender (sex), military status, prior record of arrest or
conviction (except as permitted by law), predisposing genetic characteristics,
or status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses and stalking, and
to maintain an environment free of harassment on any of the above-noted
grounds, including sexual harassment or retaliation. Inquiries regarding
compliance with this equal opportunity policy may be directed to: Office of
Equal Opportunity, 65 Court Street, Room 1102, Brooklyn, New York 11201, or
visit the OEO website athttp://schools.nyc.gov/OEO

Position Summary: Under the direction of the Deputy Counsel of the
Administrative Trials Unit, with wide latitude for independent action, the
Administrative Trials Unit Attorney will serve as a legal representative of the
Chancellor performing sophisticated legal work in disciplinary proceedings.
Performs related work.

·Handles legal issues and
cases, including recommendations concerning the soundness of charges, preparing
specification of charges, coordinating the gathering of evidence, and briefing
witnesses.

·Responsible for legal
cases that are complex and high profile in nature.

·Represents the
Department of Education (DOE) in Education Law 3020-A proceedings and hearings
pursuant to Section 75 of the Civil Service Law.

·Provides legal counsel
and training to Superintendents and Principals on disciplinary procedures.

·Acts as a liaison to
executives within the agency and to other City agencies.

Qualification Requirements:

Minimum

Admission to the New York State Bar and three
(3) years of progressively responsible United States legal experience
subsequent to admission to any state bar.

NOTE: Selected candidates must remain members of the New York
State Bar in good standing for the duration of their employment.

Preferred

·Minimum three (3) years
litigation experience.

·Ability to rapidly
understand provisions of applicable laws and regulations.

·Ability to write clearly
and concisely.

·Ability to conduct legal
research efficiently.

Salary: $85,000+

Please include a resume and cover letter with
your application.

Applications will be accepted until position is
filled.

NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to
budget availability and/or grant funding.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of the Department of Education
of the City of New York to provide educational and employment opportunities
without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin,
alienage, citizenship status, age, marital status, partnership status,
disability, sexual orientation, gender (sex), military status, prior record of
arrest or conviction (except as permitted by law), predisposing genetic
characteristics, or status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses
and stalking, and to maintain an environment free of harassment on any of the
above-noted grounds, including sexual harassment or retaliation. Inquiries
regarding compliance with this equal opportunity policy may be directed to:
Office of Equal Opportunity, 65 Court Street, Room 1102, Brooklyn, New York
11201, or visit the OEO website athttp://schools.nyc.gov/OEO

Position Summary: Under the direction of the Office of the General
Counsel, with wide latitude for independent action, the Teacher Performance
Unit Litigation Attorney serves as a legal representative of the Chancellor,
performing sophisticated legal work on disciplinary matters and providing
training and counsel to school leaders. This team of attorneys will be assigned
to handle special disciplinary proceedings as part of a teacher quality
initiative and will have the opportunity to work on key policy initiatives in
conjunction with the Office of Labor Policy. Performs related work.

Reports to: Executive Deputy Counsel

Direct Reports: N/A

Key Relationships: Acts as liaison to executives within the
Department and to members of other City agencies.

Responsibilities

·Handles legal issues and
cases including recommendations concerning determining the soundness of
charges, preparing specification of charges, coordinating the gathering of
evidence, and briefing witnesses.

·Manages legal cases that
are complex and high-profile in nature.

·Represents the New York
City Department in Education on Law 3020-A proceedings and hearings pursuant to
Section 75 of the Civil Service Law.

·As part of a team of
attorneys, helps devise strategies for providing improved support and training to
school leaders around evaluation and discipline, and for spurring the
improvement or removal of poor performers.

·Provides support,
counsel and training to Superintendents, Principals, and their designees on
disciplinary procedures, with an emphasis on documenting incompetence and poor
performance.

Qualification Requirements:

Minimum

Admission to the New York State Bar AND three
(3) years of progressively responsible United States legal experience
subsequent to admission to any state bar.

Incumbents must remain Members of the New York
State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.

Preferred

·Minimum three (3) years
litigation experience.

·Excellent research,
analytical and communication skills.

·Ability to rapidly learn
provisions of applicable law and regulations.

·Ability to write clearly
and concisely.

Salary: $85,000+

Please include a resume and cover letter with
your application.

Applications will be accepted until position is
filled.

NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to
budget availability and/or grant funding.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of the Department of Education
of the City of New York to provide educational and employment opportunities
without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, alienage and
citizenship status, age, marital status, disability, prior record of arrest or
conviction (except as provided by law), sexual orientation, gender (sex), and
to maintain an environment free of discriminatory harassment, including sexual
harassment, or retaliation as required by civil rights law. Inquiries regarding
compliance with this equal opportunity policy may be directed to: Office of
Equal Opportunity, 65 Court Street, Room 1102, Brooklyn, New York 11201, or
visit the OEO website at http://schools.nyc.gov/OEO

Position Summary: Under the direction of the Office of Legal
Services and working in close coordination with the Senior Advisor for Talent
Management and Innovation, the Attorney serves as a legal representative of the
Chancellor, performing sophisticated legal work on disciplinary matters and
providing training and counsel to school leaders. The Attorney will focus on
work related to disciplinary proceedings for pedagogues assigned to the Absent
Teacher Reserve (ATR) pool. Performs related work.

·As part of a team of
attorneys, helps devise strategies for providing improved support and training
to school leaders around evaluation and discipline, and for spurring the improvement
or removal of poor performers.

·Provides support,
counsel, and training to Superintendents, Principals, and their designees on
disciplinary procedures, with an emphasis on documenting poor performance and
misconduct of pedagogues in the ATR pool in preparation for disciplinary
charges, where applicable.

·Makes recommendations to
General Counsel and General Counsel’s staff on policies and procedures
concerning discipline of pedagogues in the ATR pool.

Qualification Requirements

Minimum

Admission to the New York State Bar and three
(3) years of progressively responsible United States legal experience
subsequent to admission to any state bar. Note: Selected candidates must remain
members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of their
employment.

Preferred

·Minimum three (3) years
litigation experience.

·Excellent research,
analytical, and communication skills.

·Ability to rapidly learn
provisions of applicable law and regulations.

·Ability to write clearly
and concisely.

Salary: $85,000+

Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume
to be considered for this position.

Resumes will be reviewed until position is
filled. We encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible.

NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to
budget availability and/or grant funding.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of the Department of Education
of the City of New York to provide educational and employment opportunities
without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin,
alienage, citizenship status, age, marital status, partnership status,
disability, sexual orientation, gender (sex), military status, prior record of
arrest or conviction (except as permitted by law), predisposing genetic
characteristics, or status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses
and stalking, and to maintain an environment free of harassment on any of the
above-noted grounds, including sexual harassment or retaliation. Inquiries
regarding compliance with this equal opportunity policy may be directed to:
Office of Equal Opportunity, 65 Court Street, Room 1102, Brooklyn, New York
11201, or visit the OEO website athttp://schools.nyc.gov/OEO

Position Summary: The Equal Opportunity Complaint Investigator
will conduct investigations of complaints of discrimination and unlawful
harassment pursuant to federal, state, and local EEO laws and the DOE’s
Non-Discrimination policy. Performs related work.

Key Relationships: Serves as a liaison between DOE and outside
entities that request complaint file information, including the Corporation
Counsel, Special Commissioner of Investigation and the Office of Legal
Services. Collaborates, when necessary, with the Office of Special
Investigations regarding overlapping investigative issues.

·Conducts interviews of
all relevant parties to a discrimination complaint; including, but not limited
to, the complainant, the respondent, witnesses, students, parents of students,
and staff members. School-based investigations may require travel to schools in
any of the five boroughs. Interviews complainants, converting oral allegations
to written format.

oworking to ensure
compliance with the Non-Discrimination Policy and internal complaint
procedures, and

operforming related
tasks.

Qualification Requirements:

Minimum

1.A baccalaureate degree
from an accredited college and three years of full-time satisfactory
professional experience in one or more of the following fields: equal
employment opportunity, human rights, community relations, law, social
services, education, investigation, human resources or public relations.

2.A four-year high school
diploma or its educational equivalent and seven years of full-time satisfactory
professional experience as described in " 1 " above; or

3.Education and/or
experience equivalent to "'1" or "2" above. However, all
candidates must have a four-year high school diploma or its educational
equivalent.

Preferred

·Strong writing,
negotiation and organizational skills.

·Internal candidates
preferred.

Salary: $58,211+

Please submit a resume and cover letter with
your application.

Resumes will be reviewed until position is
filled. Please submit your application as soon as possible.

NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to
budget availability and/or grant funding.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of the Department of Education
of the City of New York to provide educational and employment opportunities
without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin,
alienage, citizenship status, age, marital status, partnership status,
disability, sexual orientation, gender (sex), military status, prior record of
arrest or conviction (except as permitted by law), predisposing genetic
characteristics, or status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses
and stalking, and to maintain an environment free of harassment on any of the
above-noted grounds, including sexual harassment or retaliation. Inquiries
regarding compliance with this equal opportunity policy may be directed to:
Office of Equal Opportunity, 65 Court Street, Room 1102, Brooklyn, New York
11201, or visit the OEO website athttp://schools.nyc.gov/OEO

Position Summary: The Quality Review (QR) was developed to
assist New York City Department of Education (DOE) schools raise student
achievement. The Quality Review is designed to be a measure of how well a
school is organized to support student achievement, culminating in a public
report that details schools’ strengths and their areas for improvement.

The process also provides:

·a structured opportunity
for review and constructive feedback;

·support and
encouragement for the school's on-going self-evaluation; and

·a springboard for school
improvement planning.

The Director, School Quality will be responsible
for conducting at least 8-10 Quality Reviews, Alternative Quality Reviews
and/or State Quality Reviews each year, while also leading the development and
facilitation of professional development for QR Reviewers. Directors are
expected to be masters of/or expected to master the QR Rubric in order to train
and contribute to the professional growth of reviewers, and increase the
understanding of the rubric across clusters, networks and schools. Performs
related work.

Reports to: Deputy ExecutiveDirector, School Quality

Key Relationships: Will work closely with Directors for School
Quality, the Deputy Executive Director for School Quality, the Executive Director
for School Quality and various QR stakeholders including reviewers, readers,
clusters, networks and schools.

·Provide quality
reviewers in the field with support via telephone, email and in-person
meetings.

·Conduct quality
assurance of QR reports through the read process.

·Develop content and
facilitate professional development for all reviewers, which is informative and
builds on the reviewer’s QR experience.

·Work with a “class” of
reviewers as needed to build their expertise in conducting reviews.

·Quickly develop mastery
of the QR Rubric and share expertise as needed with QR stakeholders, and
particularly with networks and clusters towards strengthening the understanding
and learning around the QR Rubric across the NYCDOE.

·Assist in the creation,
copyediting and publication of all QR, Alt QR and SQR documents including the
QR Record Book, The Principal’s Guide to the QR, the SSEF form, etc.

·As needed, resolve and
respond to appeals filed by school principals.

Qualification Requirements:

Minimum

Must currently possess a New York State
Certification as a School District Administrator (SDA) or School District
Leader (SDL).

Plus

·Successful experience as
a public or private school principal and/or major supervisory and curriculum
experience at the central office level.

oContinuous principal,
teacher, and student learning, including evaluation, self-evaluation, and
evidence-driven adjustment of instruction and interventions.

·Understanding and
ability to support the instructional needs of:

oEnglish Language
Learners at all stages of English acquisition;

oSpecial Education
students; and

oStudents identified as
gifted.

Preferred

·Proven commitment and
ability to clearly and accurately inform parents and school communities about
how each child and group of children is progressing compared to others and to
involve school communities in improved student learning.

·Experience in hands-on,
school-based, and project-based training of adults.

·Strong service and
support orientation towards schools and school communities

·Internal candidates preferred

Salary: $120,098+

Please be sure application includes a resume,
cover letter and your 6-digit NYCDOE file number that was issued.

Applications will be accepted until position is
filled.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of the Department of Education
of the City of New York to provide educational and employment opportunities
without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin,
alienage, citizenship status, age, marital status, partnership status,
disability, sexual orientation, gender (sex), military status, prior record of
arrest or conviction (except as permitted by law), predisposing genetic
characteristics, or status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses
and stalking, and to maintain an environment free of harassment on any of the
above-noted grounds, including sexual harassment or retaliation. Inquiries
regarding compliance with this equal opportunity policy may be directed to:
Office of Equal Opportunity, 65 Court Street, Room 1102, Brooklyn, New York
11201, or visit the OEO website athttp://schools.nyc.gov/OEO

Position Summary: Under the executive direction of the
Counsel to the Chancellor, with the broadest latitude for independent judgment
and decision-making, acts as Deputy Counsel for all legal matters related to
administrative trials within the Department of Education (DOE). Supervises
legal, investigation and support staff assigned to the Administrative Trials
Unit. Performs related work.

Key Relationships: Office of Personnel Investigation, Special
Investigations, OEO, District Superintendents and Principals, the General
Counsel’s senior leadership team, Conflict of Interest Board, NYPD and all
District Attorneys’ Offices in the five boroughs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

·Manages difficult and complex
legal issues and cases involving intricate determinations of law and fact.

·Independently manages
and provides guidance and direction to staff on how to handle a very high
volume of cases of a highly confidential and sensitive nature.

·Serves as legal
representative of the Chancellor in disciplinary proceedings brought against
tenured and non-tenured administrative and pedagogic employees.

·Independently
responsible for making presentations to the General Counsel, the Chancellor,
Cabinet Members and other high-level executives on disciplinary matters for the
referral of charges for administrative and pedagogic employees.

·Interacts with the
Special Commissioner of Investigations and independently provides follow-up on
all reports on disciplinary matters.

·Prepares legal opinions,
advising and recommending on complex questions of law and administrative policy
to the General Counsel and the Chancellor.

·Interacts with high
level officials from outside agencies as well as from within the DOE on policy,
legal matters and labor relations issues related to the disciplinary process.

·Supervises and reviews
detailed complex case tracking system of all cases within the Administrative
Trials Unit and provides accurate and concise reports to high level DOE
officials.

Qualification Requirements:

Minimum

·Admission to the New
York State Bar; and

·Four (4) years of recent
full-time satisfactory, relevant legal experience subsequent to admission to
any bar.

·Eighteen (18) months of
which must have been in the supervision of other attorneys, in an
administrative, managerial or executive capacity, or performing highly complex
and significant legal work.

NOTE: Selected candidates must remain members of the New York
State Bar in good standing for the duration of their employment.

Preferred

·Litigation experience.

·Excellent research,
analytic and communication skills.

·Ability to rapidly
understand provisions of applicable law and regulations.

·Ability to write clearly
and concisely.

·Internal candidates
preferred.

Salary: $113,718+

(Internal candidates who are selected for this
position and who currently hold comparable or less senior positions within the
DOE will not make less than their current salary.)

Please include a resume and cover letter with
your application.

Applications will be accepted until position is
filled.

NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to
budget availability and/or grant funding.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of the Department of Education
of the City of New York to provide educational and employment opportunities
without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin,
alienage, citizenship status, age, marital status, partnership status,
disability, sexual orientation, gender (sex), military status, prior record of
arrest or conviction (except as permitted by law), predisposing genetic
characteristics, or status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses
and stalking, and to maintain an environment free of harassment on any of the
above-noted grounds, including sexual harassment or retaliation. Inquiries
regarding compliance with this equal opportunity policy may be directed to:
Office of Equal Opportunity, 65 Court Street, Room 1102, Brooklyn, New York
11201, or visit the OEO website athttp://schools.nyc.gov/OEO

Position Summary: The Labor Relations Attorney conducts legal
activity, or engages in difficult and complex legal work having significant
financial, procedural or policy consequences for the Department of Education
(DOE). Performs related work.

Reports to: Deputy Director of Labor Relations

Direct Reports: N/A

Key Relationships: Establishes and maintains an informational
and operational labor relations liaison between the Office of Labor Relations
(OLR) and the principals and supervisors of the community school districts, high
schools and other divisions, and bureaus and offices within the DOE to assist
them with disputes regarding the interpretation and application of various
collective bargaining agreements.

Responsibilities

·Prepares for and/or
tries complex cases involving large amounts of money, significant precedents,
novel and complicated determinations of law and fact, or cases having
significant legal, policy or financial implications.

·Prepares and argues
difficult cases and appeals in Administrative Tribunals and in the courts.

·Determines the
advisability of presenting witnesses, admissibility of types of evidence and
matters of legal strategy.

·Confers with subject
matter specialists, technical experts, and other attorneys, including counsel
for litigants.

·Conducts research and
prepares legal briefs and memoranda on labor and employment law issues.

·Reviews and provides
interpretations on complex, important or highly technical laws, rules or
regulations.

·Reviews, revises and
approves agreements prepared by other attorneys.

·Analyzes, studies and
reports on the effects of city, state and federal legislation.

·May supervise
subordinate attorneys on a case by case basis.

·May hear and decide
cases as a DOE hearing officer.

Qualification Requirements:

Minimum

Admission to the New York State Bar and three
(3) years of progressively responsible United States legal experience subsequent
to admission to any state bar.

NOTE: Selected candidates must remain members of
the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of their employment.

Preferred

·Ability to rapidly
understand provisions of applicable law and regulations.

·Ability to write clearly
and concisely.

·Ability to conduct legal
research efficiently.

Salary: $85,000+

(Internal candidates who are selected for this
position and who currently hold comparable or less senior positions within the
DOE will not make less than their current salary.)

Applications will be accepted until position is
filled. Please submit your application as soon as possible.

NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to
budget availability.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of the Department of Education
of the City of New York to provide educational and employment opportunities
without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, alienage and
citizenship status, age, marital status, disability, prior record of arrest or
conviction (except as provided by law), sexual orientation, gender (sex), and
to maintain an environment free of discriminatory harassment, including sexual
harassment, or retaliation as required by civil rights law. Inquiries regarding
compliance with this equal opportunity policy may be directed to: Office of
Equal Opportunity, 65 Court Street, Room 1102, Brooklyn, New York 11201, or
visit the OEO website at http://schools.nyc.gov/Administration/Offices/GeneralCounsel/OEO/default.htm.

Position Summary: The Field Support Liaison serves a critical role
within the new Strong Schools, Strong Communities support
structure within the NYC Department of Education. The new support structure
aims to align supports to schools based on need; the Field Support Liaison
supports this work in two key ways: ensuring comprehensive assessment of
schools, using a variety of data sources, and facilitating accurate alignment
of supports from the Field Support Centers (FSCs) to district schools. The
Field Support Liaison will support the Superintendent and Principal Leadership
Facilitator (PLF) in improving the performance of district schools by
facilitating the development of school improvement plans and strategically
coordinating support from the FSCs. Performs related work.

Reports to: Superintendent

Direct Reports: N/A

Key Relationships: Superintendent, Office of School Support
and Supervision, the Division of the Senior Deputy Chancellor and School
Support, Office of Field Support, The Division of Teaching and Learning, The
Office of Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Development.

Responsibilities

·Provide operational
oversight for high-priority projects which are overseen directly by the
Superintendent‘s office.

·Manage ongoing work
streams, support implementation and provide coordination across the
Superintendent‘s office to support the Superintendent‘s goals and objectives.

·Play a significant role
in executing short-term projects critical to managing day-to-day operations in
the Superintendent‘s Office.

·Participates in the
refinement of system-wide accountability policy to ensure that accountability
tools continue to fairly evaluate and meet the needs of our schools.

·Support the alignment
and delivery of professional development to schools by:

ocollaborating with
Superintendent and PLF to develop strategic support plans; and

ocoordinating with the
FSC to provide targeted support and professional development.

·Provide programmatic and
policy support to the Superintendent and District leadership on establishing and
maintaining a culture focused on student learning and achievement, leadership,
teacher development, collaboration, and comprehensive use of data for improved
outcomes of all students in all schools.

·Provide support to the
Superintendent and PLF related to professional development and on-site coaching
to school principals and instructional staff to analyze data, assess the impact
of professional development, and monitor and revise their goals.

Qualification Requirements:

Minimum

1.A master’s degree from
an accredited college in a field related to the position and three
(3) years of full-time progressively responsible professional experience in
education administration in one or more education-related areas, at least
eighteen (18) months of which must have been in a managerial capacity; or

2.Graduation from an
accredited college with a baccalaureate degree and four (4)
years of full-time progressively responsible professional experience, as
described in “1”; or

3.A satisfactory
combination of education and/or experience which is equivalent to “1” above
including teaching experience towards meeting the general experience in “1”
above; however, all candidates must have the eighteen (18) months of managerial
experience.

·Strong service and
support orientation and facilitative style towards schools and school
communities.

·Ability to think
strategically, mobilize disparate groups of people toward a common and
ambitious goal, manage horizontally, and translate insights into action.

·Attentive to detail,
extremely well-organized, able to work under pressure, and meet frequent and
changing deadlines.

·Skilled with group
problem-solving and working with complex concepts in a dynamic setting.

·Ability to organize
facts and present information and figures in a clear, concise and logical
manner, both orally and in writing.

·Excellent interpersonal
skills in dealing with education and non-education personnel, internal and
external to the DOE.

·Internal candidates
preferred.

Salary: $97,158+

(Internal candidates who are selected for this
position and who currently hold comparable or less senior positions within the
DOE will not make less than their current salary.)

Please include a resume and cover letter with
your application.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling
basis. We encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible.

NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to
budget availability and/or grant funding.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of the Department of Education
of the City of New York to provide educational and employment opportunities
without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin,
alienage, citizenship status, age, marital status, partnership status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender (sex), military status, prior record of arrest or
conviction (except as permitted by law), predisposing genetic characteristics,
or status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses and stalking, and
to maintain an environment free of harassment on any of the above-noted
grounds, including sexual harassment or retaliation. Inquiries regarding
compliance with this equal opportunity policy may be directed to: Office of
Equal Opportunity, 65 Court Street, Room 1102, Brooklyn, New York 11201, or
visit the OEO website athttp://schools.nyc.gov/OEO

Position Summary: Under supervision, with latitude for independent
action and decision, the ATU Investigator investigates and studies employees’
misconduct and incompetence. The Investigator will be responsible for
supporting the unit head and the staff attorneys in the investigation and
preparation of legal and labor matters related to employee misconduct and
incompetence. The Investigator is responsible for the maintenance and
preparation of documents and written reports that are prepared in conjunction
with administrative proceedings. The Investigator works collaboratively with
the unit head and the other staff attorneys to ensure an efficient and
systematic approach to legal services, and may serve as liaison to City, state
and federal departments, and with other agencies and officials within the
Department of Education (DOE). Performs related work.

·Research and evaluates
tenure status of pedagogic employees; responds to inquiries as a point of
contact for principals.

·May require supervision
of other Investigators and/or support staff.

·Guides subordinates on
best investigative techniques to utilize based on each individual case.

·Interprets DOE
administrative rules and regulations and policies as well as labor contract
provisions related to due process procedures.

Qualification Requirements

1.A four-year high school
diploma or its educational equivalent and four years of satisfactory full-time
experience in one or more of the fields of accounting, auditing, correction
administration, criminal justice administration and planning, forensic science,
and security, or in a major operational area of the employing agency in which
the appointment is to be made; or

NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to
budget availability and/or grant funding.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of the Department of Education
of the City of New York to provide educational and employment opportunities
without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin,
alienage, citizenship status, age, marital status, partnership status,
disability, sexual orientation, gender (sex), military status, prior record of
arrest or conviction (except as permitted by law), predisposing genetic
characteristics, or status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses
and stalking, and to maintain an environment free of harassment on any of the
above-noted grounds, including sexual harassment or retaliation. Inquiries
regarding compliance with this equal opportunity policy may be directed to:
Office of Equal Opportunity, 65 Court Street, Room 1102, Brooklyn, New York
11201, or visit the OEO website athttp://schools.nyc.gov/OEO

TV Appearances by Betsy Combier

Contact me with a concern or issue

I assist anyone who needs help, so email me your problem to start the ball rolling! I am a teacher/parent advocate, and I am the editor/writer for this blog and the website parentadvocates.org. I also write about court corruption on my blog "NYC Court Corruption". I am interested in random injustice and the criminalizing of innocent people. If you want to chat you may email me at: betsy.combier@gmail.com and I'm on twitter and have a facebook page too. I'm not an attorney and do not give legal advice.

If you want to talk with me about your 3020-a charges, I consult and go over your case without charge. No fee.

And, in response to the lies of certain individuals who resent my work, the truth is that all conversations are confidential and I do not tape secretly.

My Thoughts and Raison d'etre

This blog is about the denial of Constitutional rights by the Mayor, the New York City Department of Education and the Chancellor, New York State and Federal Courts, New York State legislature, and the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), as well as PACs and all parties participating in the business of public school education in New York City, to harm and in neglect of parents, children, and staff of public schools in the five boroughs. These thoughts are not simply mindless conclusions reached out of thin air, but a result of 14 years of research into the NYC DOE and the Courts as a reporter and paralegal.
I am an advocate of Unions and union rights, public schools and charters, and learning online as well as outside of the classroom. I cannot and do not support anyone, whether they be union management, government, private members of the political or legal system, or simply retired teachers with an agenda, if he or she tramples, discards, or rebuffs anyone's individual civil rights. As a reporter, journalist, advocate, researcher and paralegal, I have created this blog to inform the public about my experience working for the UFT and being the parent of four daughters who went through the public school system in NYC, as well as examine issues that flow from the massive denial of due process rights that I saw and have documented. The two most important points you should remember: first, everyone at the New York City Board/Department of Education and all Union bigs are motivated by power and money, and looking good. If anyone dares to blow the whistle on these racketeers, retaliation follows, so be a strategist; second, I am not an Attorney and nothing I write or say is legal advice, simply my thoughts. Take 'em or leave 'em.
Betsy Combier, Editor
NYC Rubber Room Reporter
http://nycrubberroomreporter.blogspot.com
New York Court Corruption
http://newyorkcourtcorruption.blogspot.com
Parentadvocates.org
http://www.parentadvocates.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/betsy.combier
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BetsyCombier
The NYC Public Voice
http://nycpublicvoice.blogspot.com/betsy.combier@gmail.com
Lawline July 27, 2011
http://www.teachem.com/lawlinetv/learn/lawline-tv-teachers-unions-the-last-in-first-out-rule/

Principal Anne Seifullah changes her image so that she can keep her job amidst sexting and trysts in the school, Robert Wagner Secondary Sch...

Testimonial from an Exonerated Teacher

Dear Betsy,I am forever indebted to you, Betsy, for your expert counsel throughout a horrific ordeal. You worked tirelessly to prove my innocence in a 3020a proceeding that was instigated by a corrupt school district and fueled by lies. My proceedings ended with my complete exoneration, my record expunged and my immediate return to the classroom. We didn't even need to file an appeal! Thank you, Betsy. I am now eligible to retire and enjoy the benefits you helped me to protect. God bless you and the work you do protecting the innocent.Sincerely,Maria Gargano

Betsy Combier is the Best!

Google + Rubber Room Community

FAITH

When we walk to the edge of all the light we have and take the step into the darkness of the unknown, we must believe that one of two things will happen. There will be something solid for us to stand on or we will be taught to fly. Patrick Overton

Truth Seeks Light - Lies Seek Shadows

Twins Jill Danger (left) and Betsy Combier(right)

sayin like it is

Actions Have Consequences

Writing as Music

Rubber Room teachers wish me a happy birthday (2006)

"Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all."

Rubber Room Satire

The Labor Movement

The Teaching Equation

We Can Work Out Our Differences

The E-Accountability Foundation

The E-Accountability Foundation brings you this blog which highlights issues that have or should be read by people interested in civil rights, and accountability. The E-Accountability Foundation is a 501(C)3 organization that holds people accountable for their actions online and, through the internet, seeks to bring justice to anyone who has been harmed without reason. We give the'A for Accountability' Awardto those who are willing to blow the whistle on unjust, misleading, or false actions and claims of the politico-educational complex in order to bring about educational reform in favor of children of all races, intellectual ability and economic status.

AddThis

Performance Management - Office of Labor Relations

From Betsy Combier

The NYC Office of Labor Relations, with the support of the UFT, has issued to principals a document called"Performance Management" on how to get rid of an incompetent teacher. Who is an "incompetent teacher"? Anyone the NYC Department of Education wants to remove from the system because he/she is too senior (makes too much money), is disabled (and therefore cannot be deemed factory-perfect) and/or is other impaired (is a whistleblower, cannot be intimidated, is ethnically challenged - not the 'right' race, etc).

Candace R. McLaren

Director, Office of Special Investigations (OSI)

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Polo Colon

"Rubber Room"

(1) a space where a worker subject to a disciplinary hearing or other administrative action waits and does no work; generally, a place or personal mind-set of isolation.(2) a literal reference to a padded cell, which is, according to the New Oxford American Dictionary, “a room in a psychiatric hospital with padded walls to prevent violent patients from injuring themselves.”from Double-Tongued Dictionary http://www.doubletongued.org/index.php/dictionary/rubber_room/

"Rubberization"

The word "rubberization" is a new word that is used to describe the process of assigning and paying people to sit and do nothing in a drab room away from their place of employment while their employers make up charges that allege sexual or corporal misconduct without any facts upon which to base the allegation on.

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Theresa Europe, NYC BOE ATU Director

Robin Greenfield

Deputy Counsel to the NYC DOE

UFT Pres. Mike Mulgrew and NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg

UFT umbrella pals

New York State Supreme Court Judge Manuel Mendez

ATR CONNECT

Tenured Teachers who are found to be guilty of misconduct or incompetency at 3020-a but are not terminated, who have blown the whistle on the misconduct of politically favored NYC Department of Education employees, and/or who are simply disliked for any reason can suddenly find themselves in the ATR ("Absent Teacher Reserve") pool - employees without rights or voices, and without chapter leader union representation.

This new group of people are the "new" rubber roomers without representation at the UFT and denied the protection of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, because basically they have been pushed out of their jobs unfairly and under color of law by Mayor Bloomberg and the Chief Executives of the Department of Education who call themselves "Chancellors", "Network Leaders", "Superintendents", etc., consistently without any facts or evidence to support the false claims.

A group of teachers who are, or were, made into ATRs, ATR Polo Colon, and I, Betsy Combier, an advocate for transparency and labor/employment rights, have joined together to expose the denial of due process, civil and human rights by chiefs of the NYC Department of Education (NYC DOE), certain arbitrators at 3020-a, leaders of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), the "investigators" -agents who work for the Special Commissioner of Investigation (SCI), Office of Special Investigation (OSI), and the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) - and the Attorneys who work for the New York United Teachers (NYSUT), and the New York Law Department (Corporation Counsel).

In order to protect the safety of those who join this group to promote an end to the "Rubberization" process described on this blog since 2007, names of those who tell their stories will, for now, remain anonymous if the person so desires, and Polo and I will be the gatekeepers. So if you are an ATR, or know a story involving an ATR or someone re-assigned or about to go into a 3020-a, please use the email address advocatz77@gmail.com and give us your contact information. We will protect your anonymity and hold onto your privacy.

Betsy Combier and Polo Colon, Editors

FAITH When we walk to the edge of all the light we have and take the step into the darkness of the unknown, we must believe that one of two things will happen. There will be something solid for us to stand on or we will be taught to fly.

Patrick Overton

We have forty million reasons for failure but not a single excuse.Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936)

The Re-Assignment Overview by Betsy Combier

The New York City Board of Education decided in 2002 to rid the public school system of staff who interfered with their takeover and control. The criteria for a "good teacher" is now, more often than not, a "silent teacher", a person who never asks questions, is younger than 40, is making a salary below $50,000, does not care about kids and what they learn, or whether or not money (books, supplies, equipment, etc) is missing. When a teacher or staff member of a school dares to do the right thing and speaks out about wrong-doing - this person is often called a "whistleblower" or "flamethrower" - or, simply is not liked for any reason by the Principal/NYC personnel, suddenly he/she is accused of something by somebody ("given a label of "A", "B", "C", and so on) and whisked away to a drab room called a temporary re-assignment center or "rubber room". Members of the offices of the Special Commissioner of Investigation or the Office of Special Investigations then start work on building a case against the person to justify their being thrown in prison, declared "unfit for duty", or, as Mr. Joel Klein has said, characterized as "guilty of sexual activities and corporal punishment" against the children of New York City.The stories of the people I have met who sit every day in the 8 rubber rooms of NYC prove to me that Mr. Klein is very wrong about his assessment, and this blog is created to prove it to you.

Puppy Snooze

US Department of Labor ELAWS

Aeri Pang, Gotcha Squad Attorney

Attorney Pang, red dress, now chief Attorney For New York State Supreme Court Judge Cynthia Kern

New York State Supreme Court Judge Cynthia Kern

NYC EdStats You Can Use

$12.5 billion: Annual New York City Department of Education (DOE) budget (2002)

$21 billion: Annual New York City DOE budget (2009)
1,719: Number officials employed by the DOE central administration in June 2002

2,442: Number of officials employed by the central administration as of November 2008

2: Number of DOE officials earning more than $180,000 per year in 2004.

22: Number of DOE officials earning more than $180,000 per year in 2007.

5: Number of DOE public relations staffers in 2003.

23: Number of DOE public relations staffers in 2008.

944: Number of contracts approved by DOE in 2008, at a total cost of $1.9 billion.

20: Percentage of contracts that exceeded estimated cost by at least 25 percent.

$67.5 million: Annual budget of Project Arts, a decade-old program that was the sole source of dedicated funding for arts education. It was eliminated in 2007.

86: Percentage of principals who said in a 2008 poll that they were unable to provide a quality education because of excessive class sizes in their schools.

100,000: Number of seats DOE plans to provide for charter school students by 2012.

25,000: Number of seats DOE plans to build under 2010 to 2014 capital plan.

66,895: Number of K-3 school-children in classes of 25 or more during the 2008-09 school year.

15,440: Average number of seats per year built during the last six years of the Rudolph Giuliani administration.

10,895: Average number of seats per year built during the first six years of the Bloomberg administration.

27.2: Percentage of newly hired teachers in 2001-02 who were Black.

14.1: Percentage of newly hired teachers in 2006-07 who were Black.

53.3: Percentage of newly hired teachers in 2001-02 who were white.

65.5: Percentage of newly hired teachers in 2006-07 who were white.

76: Percentage of white and Asian students who performed better than the average Black and Latino students in 8th grade English Language Arts (ELA) in 2003.

75: Percentage of white and Asian students who performed better than the average Black and Hispanic students in 8th grade ELA in 2008.

77: Percentage of white and Asian students who performed better than the average Black and Hispanic 8th graders in math in 2003.

81: Percentage of white and Asian students who performed better than the average Black and Hispanic 8th graders in math in 2008.

54: Percentage of New York City public school parents who disapproved of Mayor Bloomberg’s handling of education, according to a March 2009 Quinnipiac poll.

Sources: New York City Council, New York City Comptroller’s Office, New York Daily News, New York Post, Eduwonkette, Quinnipiac Institute, Black Educator, Class Size Matters, New York City Schools Under Bloomberg and Klein.

Betsy Combier and NYSUT lawyer Chris Callagy

The New York City Whistle Award

NYC Whistlers, Winners of the NYC Whistle Award

...are those individuals in New York City who are willing to whistleblow unjust, misleading, or false actions and claims of the politico-educational complex in order to bring about educational reform in favor of children of all races, intellectual ability and economic status. Whistlers ask questions that need to be asked, such as "where is the money?" and "Why does it have to be this way?" and they never give up.

These people have withstood adversity and have held those who seem not to believe in honesty, integrity and compassion accountable for their actions.

Congratulations, and keep up the good work!

Betsy Combier

Special Commissioner of Investigation Richard Condon

Condon "qualified" for his current post after Bloomberg lowered standards; who will leash him?

A great teacher

After being interviewed by the school administration, the prospective teacher said: 'Let me see if I've got this right.

'You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their T-shirt messages, and instill in them a love for learning.

'You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self esteem and personal pride.

'You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a checkbook, and apply for a job 'You want me to check their heads for lice, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, and make sure that they all pass the final exams.

'You also want me to provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicaps, and communicate regularly with their parents in English, Spanish or any other language, by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card.

'You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletinboard, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps. 'You want me to do all this and then you tell me. . . I CAN'T PRAY?

NYC Police Commissioner Ray Kelly

Joel Klein's famous statement about rubber room teachers and staff

On November 27, 2006, temporarily re-assigned teacher (TRT) Polo Colon asked Joel Klein, the "pretend" Chancellor of the NYC public school system, if he had voted to terminate teachers at the secret Executive Session held just before the public meeting of the Panel For Educational Policy.Mr. Klein answered,"We did not vote to terminate you. We did vote to terminate a teacher in executive Session...in fact, we voted to terminate two teachers. It's perfectly consistent with the law.Many teachers have been charged with sexual activities and some are charged with corporal punishment...I have no interest in removing people who are qualified to teach, I can assure you, because I dont get any return...and in fact, I have complained publicly about how long this process drags out. But our first concern will always be and, as a former lawyer and somebody who clerked on the United States Supreme Court I will tell you, there is no violation of due process whatsoever..."- extracted from the audiotape of the PEP meeting bought by Betsy Combier after filing a FOIL request to the NYC BOE

November 26, 2007 Candelight Vigil

The School Law Blog

A Review of Battling Corruption in America's Public Schools by Betsy Combier

Lydia Segal's book puts the NYC, Chicago, and California Departments of Education on notice....we who have read this book know more about how the system is not there for our kids than "you" want us to know. Lydia Segal's book Battling Corruption in America's Public Schools changes the public school reform movement forever. We can no longer assume that more money allocated to our schools will "fix" the disaster that is our public school system.

Lydia Segal draws on her 10 years of undercover investigation and research in over five urban school districts, including the three largest, New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago, and the two most decentralized, Houston and Edmonton, Canada, to provide, in her new book Battling Corruption in America's Public Schools, the details of the corruption, theft, fraud, and patronage that has overrun our public school establishment for several decades. There is no question that anyone who is interested in school reform -this means anyone who pays taxes, is a parent or guardian of a child attending school and/or who works toward a goal of establishing an education system that puts children first - must read this book. Ms. Segal's research and information on the education establishment's 'dark' side outrages the reader, and incites us to demand change. Her book therefore, is much more than a book, it is a call to action. We cannot be bystanders any longer to the systemic abuse she so vividly describes, and we will never be able to listen in the same way ever again to school Principals, Superintendents, school custodians or district board members as they request more money "to help the children."

The book's detailed reports on the corruption and crime in our public schools, supported by 52 pages of interview notes, references and specific examples, provide irrefutable evidence that the current failures of our nation's public schools are not due to the lack of money but the impossibility of getting the money to the children who need it and for whom the money is allocated in the first place. Recent statistics show that students of all ages are not learning what they need to know, schools are overcome with violence, teachers are demoralized, and yet billions of dollars are literally shovelled into the system every year. The New York City school system receives more than $16 billion every year; Los Angeles, $7 billion; and Chicago, $3.6 billion. Where does this money go? We have all asked this question as we have walked through school hallways dodging the paint falling off the walls and ceilings, watching our children sitting on broken chairs, using bathrooms without running water or toilet paper, and struggling to achieve their personal best without the services and resources they are supposed to have. Battling Corruption in America's Public Schools is the first book ever to systematically examine school waste and corruption and how to fight it. Ms. Segal, an undercover school investigator turned law professor, documents where the money goes, how waste and fraud embedded in the operation of large school bureaucracies siphon money from classrooms, distort educational priorities, block initiatives, and what we can do to bring badly-needed change. She describes in detail how only a small percentage of the money allocated to students in our public schools actually gets used by them due to corruption and waste, and how city school systems scoring lowest on standardized tests tend to have the biggest criminal records and most payroll padding. Coding problems, the procurement process, compartmentalization and opacity of information leave administrators with only two options: good corruption (which ultimately helps the kids) and bad corruption (which never helps anyone but the perpetrator and his/her allies and accomplices). Indeed, the system fights those who try the good corruption route.

Ms. Segal argues that the problem is not usually bad people, but a bad system that focuses on process at the expense of results. Decades of rules and regulations along with layers of top-down supervision make it so hard to do business with school systems that they encourage the very fraud and waste they were designed to curb. She tells us about how the "godfathers" and "godmothers" (the school board members) obtain jobs for their "pieces" in order to protect the systemic waste and fraud from being dismantled or exposed. Fortunately, she writes, there are good people involved in the corruption as well who must violate the rules in order to get their jobs done. Nonetheless, absurdities abound: school systems following rules to save every penny spend thousands of dollars hunting down checks as small as $25; it takes so long to pay vendors for their work that some have to bribe school officials to move their checks along; caring Principals who want to fix leaky toilets may have to pay workers under the table because submitting a work order through the central office could, and often does, take years. Meanwhile, those who pilfer from classrooms get away with it because the pyramidal structure of large districts makes schools inherently difficult to oversee. What makes Battling Corruption in America's Public Schools a must-read is not only the fascinating - and depressing - details of the systemic wrong-doing but also Ms. Segal's suggestions for reform, based on the proven track records of school systems across North America that have successfully reduced waste and fraud and have pushed more resources into schools.

The pathology of the corruption suggests the remedy, Ms. Segal says, which is decentralization of power into the schools and the hands of the Principals. Distilling what successful school systems have done, Segal advocates new forms of oversight that do not clog up school systems and recommends giving principals more discretion over their school budgets as well as holding them accountable for job performance. She argues for "autonomy in exchange for performance accountability" as part of a bold, far-reaching plan for reclaiming our schools. Her conclusion is logical and convincing. Everyone who reads this book will find his or her perception of public school education changed forever. We cannot accept any longer that a generation of children has been abused by a system that is so full of greed and corruption without screaming "stop!" and "Your game is up!"

Segal reveals how systemic waste and fraud siphon millions of dollars from urban classrooms and shows how money is lost in systems that focus on process rather than on results, as well as how regulations established to curb waste and fraud provide perverse incentives for new forms of both. Anyone who is interested in school reform--this means anyone who pays taxes, is a parent or guardian of a child attending school, and/or who works toward a goal of establishing an education system that puts children first--must read this book. --

Lydia G. Segal is Associate Professor of Criminal Law and Public Administration at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York.